A Boeing 747-400 jetliner of Taiwan's major carrier China Airlines was hit by severe air turbulence on its way from Hong Kong to Bangkok Thursday, resulting in the injury of 21 people, the airlines said, reported dpa.
"Flight CI 641 arrived in Bangkok safely, and the injured, including, 5 crew members and 16 passengers, received hospital treatment," the airlines said in a news statement.
A total of 147 passengers and 18 crew members were on board the plane when the turbulence occurred without warning over Thai airspace, the airline said.
The airline did not describe the conditions of the injured, but state media Central News Agency said two of the 21 injured suffered from bleeding in the heads.
The airlines stressed the aircraft was unharmed.
It was the second turbulence incident for the airlines in two weeks. On September 20 a China Airlines flight experienced turbulence shortly before it landed on the Indonesian island of Bali, resulting in the injury of 30 people abroad the plane.